A woman dying from lung cancer has told of her distress at discovering the care plan she depends on is being changed.

Hilary Tobin, 58, believes the quality of care she receives will be affected because of cutbacks to Hull City Council's adult social care budget.

She is one of a number of people, including dementia patients, who have received letters informing them their social care providers are to be changed.

Ms Tobin, who has been told she has only a 15 per cent chance of being alive in three years, began receiving home support from Bluebird Care Hull and Beverley last year.

She said: "New carers would have to get used to me and I would have to get used to them. I don't want to do it all over again because I may only have months to live.

"I know it's about saving money but it’s going to cut the quality of care as well.

DISTRESSED: Hilary Tobin has lung cancer

"They do a good job and I'm not happy about being moved. I know the girls from Bluebird Care and they know me. They know exactly where everything is and they know who to contact in case of an emergency."

Hull City Council insist the changes are not linked to cost-cutting.

Ms Tobin, who lives off Anlaby Road, west Hull, has a bag permanently packed in case she needs to go into hospital.

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"I also worry about the people who are being moved and can't speak out, like dementia sufferers," she added.

"They deserve better than receiving home care where everything is timed – it doesn't work like that for people."

Mike Thompson, director of Bluebird Care Hull and Beverley, says he understands the pressure local authorities are under, but is critical of its treatment of patients.

He said: "I fully appreciate the challenges local authorities are facing in trying to support those in need on a shoestring budget due to government cuts.

CONCERNED: Hilary Tobin with a letter outlining the changes

"However, I am appalled and dismayed at the current draconian tactic employed by Hull City Council commissioners, contacting directly some of the most vulnerable people in our communities without the involvement of their social workers, family members and current care providers.

"It is causing much distress and heartache. Instead they should be more proactive in addressing the causes of the current crisis in the care sector with those responsible in central government."

In a statement Hull City Council said: "Our highest priority is to safeguard our vulnerable residents and through a procurement process we introduced a framework which ensures that vulnerable people who require support to remain living safely at home, receive care which is proportionate to their needs.

"In order to deliver this effectively we currently have nine homecare providers on this framework who are monitored by the council to provide flexible, high-quality home care packages."

In December, Bluebird Care Hull and Beverley took over the care of 30 customers. It followed the city council's preferred provider, Allied Health Care, being placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).